Syn-motor



Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,312

I I H. l. WASHBURIN SYN-MOTOR v Filed Aug. 21. 1917 7 sheets-sheet 1Herbal)? I. washmrlz,

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Feb. 19, 1924.- 1,484,312

H. I. WASHBURN SYN-MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Flam,

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Feb. 19 1924. y 1,484,312

H. I. WASHBURN SYN-MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 HerbertLwashbzmg Feb. 19 1924. Y 1,484,312

- H. 1. WASHBURN y SYN -MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet e Feb.19 1924.

H. I. WASH-BURN SYN-MOTOR Filed Aug. 21, 1917 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ZfirberfI. Waskbzmg Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

HERBERT I. WASHBYU'RH), or LAUREL SIRINGS, new JERSEX;

syn-Moron, 1

To: all whom it may concern. 7

Be it known that I, BZERBELVD I, (AS2511 B RN, of Laurel Spriu s, in thecounty out QsmQlsn and Stat f; fie srs mh ve vented certain; new anduseful Improvements,

in yn-Motors; vhs ss he f llo ing is specificat onr t rsnss ei g; had.to the companying drawings.

The invention relates to improvements in syn-motors and more partcularly to devices f t s c a s mploye fo st nltu al: pus-- poses.

The invention coinp ehends. a device oi the above type whichautomatic-in eperga tion in connection with a fiel itel: g id: ingapparatus such as shown and dese i' gbed in my co-psnding appl ati nSerial N 187,495, filed August 21, L911. By this combination thesyn-motor constr ct ds here: in set forth; maybe guided i a spinal 01;curved path in automatically ploughing or otherwise cultivating afield-J To this, end, my invention includ s. means for simultaneouslyshifting the tractor wheels through corresponding angles in following apredetermined curvature of traction.

The invention is further directed to steeringorganization such as'tlleabove comprif r ingmeans, \vhei'eby the" syn-motor may be adapted forcit-heir automatic or manual operation.

The present improvement also, compre hands means tor automaticallysuspending the operation oi the syn-motor in the event of failureorrupture in the guiding element.

In the drawing, Fig. I is a plan view of an agricultural syn-motorconveniently embodying my improvements.

Fig. H is a side elevation, of the same as viewed from the bot-tom ofFig. If.

F ig. III is an elevation as viewed froljn the side opposite to thatillustrated; in Fig. H.

Fig; IV is a transverse sectional elevation along the line. IV.-l\ inFigs. 1 and II.

Fig. V is a, detail of av portion of the automatic steering mechanism. I

l3 V1 V11, VIII. and are detail views of an. automatic electrical cutout tun-ctional'in renderingthe device inoperativc upon the breaking ofthe guide wire.

Figs. X to; XIII inclusive, are details, 01 the mechanism whereby the.syn-motor may he either for automatic or manual steering.

Fig. XIV is. a plan View of a tractor simi- Application filed August 21,191-7. 'senai no. i1s7, 4,94,;'

lar to. that illustrated in Fig;

ng a modified s e r ng, appara us Th syn-motor herein shown, comprises astructural trame'xvork inc uding a pairof: parallel, horizontallydisposed angle iigons; and un te at hei ndsby r gidly bolted brackets.As best shown in Fig. IV, brackets 3 are each provided With'a pair ofspaced lugs hand (Lavhich are pivot.

lly g g d y v hair of bos es 7 and 8, spectively formed integrally withyoke pieces 9.' These yo,l;e 1;9ie ces 9. are furthel provided at theirlower'ends,;,with enlarged bosses 10 for the reception of theeccentriccylin rica e ensions 1.1, rt the tap red axles 12 forv the tractorWheels, 13 =-1 3; "Said Wheels are driven by sprocket- Chai JS lfifilfiwhich engage sppo'cket rings fi attached to h sp es of the heels by stable t bolts 17.. The slack oi these chains may be taken up by tamingthe miles 2 about the-i soncentric mountings 11:, whichars. squared at 6th s purp s nd the a iustmsut ixed by se-tscreuts1-9,threaded intlieb,0S$-8s 10'. I The synunotor is staloilized hy an out i igger wheelZl,mounted upon an axle 22, fixed in the outer down turned nd 23. of a beam25. Said beam is adjustably held c amp. 2 o m o a b -iacket ZY, oi? thest uctu al t ams-v o y t is oastu stion the Wheel 21 may be spaced fromthe syn-,lllotor p p n adap ng th sam to a u sesunt d p n the st cturrame a a point about midway between the tractoi; whee-ls 3,. is a in ncom s n gine omprehens ve y mdi atsd' a 28, d un potted. upon a cradle'29 held between ra ket 2 and a milar br t b th of.-

which, as best seen in lfiigs. I and III, age bolted "to the parallelangle irons, 1 and h t 1,. at the ng ne ann s at its. ou r end, theusual fly wheel 32, which, in this in stance is: supplemented by apulley 33, where by any auxiliaryappa a u may e d iven W-lfien theorganization is simply employed as a poweig plant; T o the innen end ofen--.

s ne sha t is xed a s s-s cket lumen, 35', which. through a chain36,,d1qives sprocket 317, This sprocket is mounted on a countelg shaft38, and may be disconnected therefrom by means of a clutch'comrentionally indicated 3'9, and controlled through a pin l0,extending axially tl'n'ough shaft; 38. Pin is he d a 1, for engagem ntnth the end of a shifting leve1-'42, pivotedj at'4 3,

and provided with. an operating handle 415i Handle is located at a pointconvenient to the seat 46 for the operator. As shown in Figs. I and II,this seat is supported on a bar 47, pivotally secured at the innerendtov the framework, and cushioned at the other end by coiled spring 48suspended from the laterally turnedrend 49, of angle barl.

Counter shaft 38 also carries a pair of sprocket pinions50-50,which bymeans of chains 5151, serve to drive sprocket wheels 5252, mounted uponstub shafts 5353, which are journalled infixed brackets 55, bolted tothe structural framework, see Figs 1, III and IV. A universal coupling56 is interposed in each of the shafts 53, so asto permit steering ashereinafter specified.

' The outer end of said'shafts find their bearings in cross pieces ofthe yokes 9, and each of these is further provided with a sprocketpinion 57, whereby motion'is transmitted through the chains 15, to thesprocket rings 16, on the tractor wheels 13, already referred throughthe sprocket system justdescribed, from the engine 28, and the operationof the device controlled manually by means of clutch 39 operable byhandle 45.

Steering of the syn-motor is effected by simultaneously swinging thetractor wheels through'equal corresponding angles and this according tomy invention may be a ccom pl'ished either manually or automatically.-

In manual operation the apparatus is guided under the control of a handwheel 60, located at a point near seat 46, so as to be readilyaccessible to the operator. VJhcel 60 is mounted upon a longitudinalline shaft comprising sections 61 and 62, united by a universal coupling63. These sections are threaded oppositely at their outer ends asindicated at 65 and 66, to respectively engage nuts 67 and 68, swivellymounted in the ends of arms'69 and 70 projecting from yoke pieces 99,for the tractor wheel's 13-43. Said wheels may thus be simultaneouslyswung about their yoke pivots 4,

- through similar angles in either direction corresponding to thedirection of rotation of shaft (ii-62 under'control of hand wheel-60.

When employed for automatic operation, the syn-motor is adapted for usein connection with a guiding apparatus such as shown and described in myco-pending applicalater, to an extension 72 bolted to the wheel yoke 9,at theforward or left hand end of the machine (Figs. I and II). Thetension The tractor wheels are thus driven constantly maintained uponthe wire (due to the tendency of the syn-motor to travel in a straightpath under control of a brake mechanism also to belater described)causes a pull upon extension 72, thereby coincidently turning theforward tractor wheel.

. about its pivot 4.

From.Fig.' lVit will be noted. that the line of pivotal attachment ofthe yoke pieces 9 for the tractor wheels is slightly inclined to thevertical and passes through .the'cenr 7 Hal point of engagement of thetractor wheel with the ground. Furthermore, this pivotalcenter line alsopasses through the center of the universal coupling56, so that as aconse'qu'ence, the wheel is absolutely free to turn about its pivotwithout interference by its drivingconnections. hen referred to theforward wheel, it will be seen that i this method of constructionobviates any tendency of the steering extension 72, todcflect either tothe right or left under the pull of the motor and interfere with eitherthe manual or automatic control of the-synmotor. r I

' It now remains to transmit an equal corresponding angular movement tothe rear tractor wheel in such a manner that the side stresses andjoltings of the-said rear wheel cannot be reactive upon the fronttractor wheel, extension 72 or the guide wire' 71. This is accomplishedby the following instrumentalities: t

Referring to Figs. X to XIII inclusive, it will be noted that the nut67, cooperative with the threaded end of steering shaft. sec tion 62-,is not directlyattached to the arm 69, of the wheel yoke 9, but issupplemented b a horizontal win )late 73 'which is swivelly pivoted at apoint 75, to an arm 76 of an interposed bell crank lever 78. This leveris directly fulcrumed, at 77, to the end of arm 69, so that when arm 69,is swung in accordance to the'movement of the forward tractor wheelunder the automatic control, said lever is shifted to the positionillustrated in Fig. XI. This movement is imparted through a link 79, toan arm 80, (Figs. and II) formed Lip-turning the end of a rock shaft 81,journalled at one end in a suitable bearing 82. Said rockshaftextendslongitudinally along the top of the upper angle iron1, ofthe supporting frame, to a double actingpawling mecha nismcomprehensively indicated at'83, (Fig.

V) and its other end is threaded at 85, to engage within a fixed bearing86. -The' thread is of a coarse pitch so that a slight angular movementof the arm 80 causes a substantial longitudinal shifting of the rockshaft 81. Said shaft 81v (Fig. V) carries a pair of fixed collars 86 and87, which are respertively cooperative with a pairof pawl arms 99 and 89freely suspended from their pivotal mountings in the ends of the hori-Mil .62,- of the steering shaft.

zontal arm of av T shaped lever 90,..freely. fulcrumed' about a shaft9-1,.included in the pawling mechanism 83. tinua-lly oscillated by meansof an integrally. formed arm 92, coupled with an. eccentric 93, mountedon. stub shaft'53, already de scribed. See also Fi IV. A spring 95,

co-activewith both pawl. arms 88 and 89- tends to normally maintain thelatter int @111- gagementn with.- a ratchet wheet 96 which fixed uponshaft 91. The activity of these pawls is selectively dependent upon theshifting of; rock. shaft 8 as above: noted, for exampleaif: said shaftis shifted" to the left as illustrated in Fig; V paavl 88' willberendered inactive while paw-1:89 is permitted to engage with the:ratchet wheel: 96, to turn. shaft 91..

. The oscillation of lever 90 will thus be transmitted by one or theother of the pawls to the ratchet wheel to turn. shaft 91' in onedirection 01- the other; These parts are,

however, so designed that a certain small amount of free play isallotted the front wheel to: compensate for the ordinary vibrar ti'en orswaying. of this wheel. owing. to'the irregularities-in the course over:which the device travels. This freedom is to the ex.- tent cf about twoor three degrees, within the range of which, pawls 88 01:89 will remainxin a neutral position (both: disengaged from ratchet) and as aconsequence,inactive. Beyond this range, however, either one. or theother of these paw'ls becomes immediately effective as herein'beforenoted.

as shown in Fig. 1?, shaft 91 extends laterally outward from the pawlingmechanism to afford attachment for abevel pinion 97, which engages abevel gear 98,

mounted" upon the right hand end of section The movements of the shaft91 will thus be directly trans mitted to the steering shaft, whereuponthe rear tractor wheel will be immediately angularly shifted inaccordance with the auto matically directed behavior of the forwardwheel. i i

'In order toavoid confusionin comprehending the parts thus fardescribed, a feature relating to the manual controlof the device hasbeen purposely omitted, and it will be convenient at this point toproceed with anexplanation of the same. Re ferring once more to- Figs.X. to XIII, during manual operation, it isnecessary to interlock win-gplate 73', with arm 7 6 of interposed bell crank lever 78-, sothat' thepoint 77 is thereby made the swivel center of'nut (57, instead ofpermitting the complex movement illustrated. in Fig. To this end therespective parts73' and 76 are pierced by apertures and 101, which, whenaligned. receive a removable pin 99, clearly shown in Fig. XIII wherethe said parts are illustrated in their fixed relation. ,Vhen

Lever 90 is 0011- these partsare thus locked, the actuating tralinoperative positions free from engagement with ratchet 96. I

In order to. absorb the shocks due to sudden acci'dental orspasmodic'shiftings of the tractor. wheelsin: steering, a safety devicehas been provided in the formof a brake whiclr comprises a. shoe 1.02,.pivotally attached at 103;. to the extension 72 of for,- ward wheel yoke9. Shoe 102' is co-operativc with a fixed member 105, rigidlybolted tothe structural frame. The abrad-ing faces of these two brake members aresegmental with respect to a radius having-a center common te-the pivotof the forward tractor wheel. Positive engagement is maintained by thespring 106 secured at one end to a fixed bracket 10?, and at the otherend, in one of a series of apertures 108, in member 102, whereby theleverage and the corresponding effect of the spring tension may bevaried. Thus a tension is constantly maintained by spring 1-06, in.opposition to the pull on'wi-re 71, sin cethese two elements areattached at opposite ends of the extension 72; This" opposition and thepull on wire 71:, are in inverse proportion. in correspondence to therelative lengths of the ex} tension 72,1rel'ative toits fulcrum.- 45,The maintenance of an exactly measured and even pull upon Wire 71,therefore causes its out-er end to follow accurately the predeterminedgeometrical path established as hereinbefore set forth.

The syn-motor is rendered proof against running wild, in the event ofrupture in the guide Wire, by an automatic electric cut out switchmechanism which will be best understoodby referenceto Figs. VI to TXinclusive taken: in connection with Fig. I. To the out-Lerend ofextension 72, is fixed a block: 110, of Wood or other suitableelectroinsulating material by means of bolts, 111. The terminal hook 112of the guide wire is received within an aperture 113, of aswivel plate115, fu-lcrumed' at 1'16, to the insulat ing block 110. When in itsnormal position under'pull" of wire 71, as illustrated in Fig. VI,anin-tegrally formed stop 11?, of the plate engages a metallic contactstrip 118, interposed in the engine ignition circuit by conductor 119.The return conductor 120, of this circuit is directly connected to theswivel plate 115, so that in this manner a closed circuit is maintainedduring the normal operation of the device.

If a rupture should occur in the guide wire, the parts will immediatelyassume the position illustrated in Figs. VII and IX. This is occasionedby a spring 121, acting upon the swivel plate to an eiitent limited 110.Contact between lug 117 and strip 118 is thus interrupted and theignition circuit of the engine is consequently broken with the resultthat operation of the device is posi-' tively suspended. V

When the terminal hook 112, is entirely removed and the guide wiredispensed with as in manual operation, the parts further shift to theposition illustrated in Fig. VIII, where the circuit is constantlymaintained under the influence of spring 121, by contact of a secondintegral stop arm 123, of plate 115, with metallic strip 118.

By provision of a universal gang bar 130, Figs. I, II and III, thedevice may be employed for propelling any number of agriculturalimplements. For the purpose of convenient illustration, in the presentin stance, a plough 135, has been shown. This implen'ient has anextended shank which may be attached at any point along the gang bar.130 and secured in position by a clamp .133. Said gang bar is freelysuspended by means of a pair of links 131, pivotally at; tached todepending brackets 132, of the framework. A rear hitch 136, has'alsobeen provided as a convenientadjunct for additional agriculturalimplement attachment.

The modified steering apparatus illustrated in Fig. XIV operates in amanner similar to that of the preferred embodiment of my invention butvaries somewhat as to details. The parts in this figure which areidentical with those already described are identified with the samereference numerals; In this instance, the fore and aft tractor wheelyokes are both provided with horizontal extensions representedrespectively at 150 and 151. These extensions terminate in bowed members152 and 153 respectively and are united at their extremi ties by crossedchains 155 and 156, or other suitable instrumentalities. Thisconstruction serves as a universal connection for transmitting oppositerelative movement between the two tractor wheels in the operation ofsteering. Manual control is herein likewise effected through a handwheel 157 which is fixed upon a stud shaft 158, supported on the outerend of a bracket 159, extending from the framework. Said shaft carries apulley 160, which through an endless chain 162 is geared to an idlerpulley 161; Chain 162 is secured at a point 163 to extension 151, of therear tractor wheel yoke. The hand wheel 15'? therefore directly controlsthe steering of the rear tractor and the movement of the latter istransmitted through the intervening elements just described, in equaldegree but in an opposite direction. to the forward tractor wheel,thereby simultaneously setting these wheels in tangential positions tothe path of curvature which they are to follow.

It is to be understood that I do not Wish to limit myself to the preciseapplication herein descrlbed since my 111V811t1011 may be readil em 10ed for other similar )ur oses 5 3 and a steering shaft having oppositelythreaded ends engaging said nuts for simultaneously shifting said wheelsthrough similar angles in correspondence to the curvature of traction. p

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe; tractor wheels pivotally attached to the said frame; means forshifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path of traction; and arelay controlled and actuated by the move-1 ment -of said wheel to turnthe other wheel in a complementary direction in correspondenter- 0 thecurvature of traction.

3. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a structural frame; tractor wheels pivotally mounted uponsaid frame;

a motor; geared driving connections be' tween said motor and wheels withflexible connections interposed therein to permit the pivotal operationof said wheel for steering purposes; and means for irreversiblytransmitting steering movements of one of said wheels to the other. i

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of asupporting frame; a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for the saidwheels pivotally-connected to the said frame; means for shifting one ofsaid wheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movementof said wheel in a complementary direction to the other of said wheelsin, correspondence to the curvature of traction, said means includ ing anut swiveled to the mounting of the secondary wheel, a threaded shaftengaging the said nut, and interposed mechanism for rotating said shaft.

, 5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combinatlonof astructural frame work,

a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for said heels plvotally attached tosaid frames;

means for shifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path; means fortransmitting the movement of said wheel in a complementary direction tothe second wheel in correspondence to the curvature of traction, saidmeans including a nut swiveledto the mounting of the second wheel; athreaded shaft engaging the said nut; a

ratchet wheelcar-r-ied by the said shaft; a double acting pawlingmechanism for the said ratchet and inter-posed mechanism for controllingsaid pawli'ng mechanism,

6. In an apparatus of theclassdescribed, the combination of a structuralframe work, a pairof tractor wheels; mountings for said wheels pivotallyattached to said frames; means for shifting one of said wheels to followa curved path; means for transmitting the movement of said wheel in acomplementary direction to the-second wheel in correspondence to thecurvature of traction, said means including a nut swiveled to themounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft engaging the said nut; aratchet wheel carried by the saidcshaft; a pair of opposed pawlsco-operative with said ratchet; and interposed mechanism for selectivelycontrolling the operation of said pawls.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of astructural frame work, a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for saidwheels pivotally attached to said frames; means for shifting one of saidwheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement ofsaid wheel in a complementary direction to the second wheel incorrespondence to the curvature of traction, said means including a nutswiveled to the mounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft'engagingthe said nut; a ratchet wheel carried by the said shaft; a pair ofopposed pawls co-operative with the said ratchet; means for constantlyoscillating the said pawls; a slide shaft connected to the mounting ofthe first tractor wheel; and a pair of collars mounted upon said slideshaft, for respectively co-acting with said pawls to selectively controlthe pawling of said ratchet.

8. In-an apparatus of the class described, the combination of astructural frame work, a pair of tractor wheels; mountings for saidwheels pivotally attached to said frames; means for shifting one of saidwheels to follow a curved path; means for transmitting the movement ofsaid wheel in a complementary direction to the second wheel in correspondence to the curvature of traction, said means including a nutswiveled to the mounting of the second wheel; a threaded shaft engagingthe said nut; a ratchet wheel carried by the said shaft; a pair ofopposed pawls co-operative with the said ratchet; means for constantlyoscillating the said pawls; a rock shaft, having a threaded portion; afixed bearing internally threaded to co-operate with the threadedportion of the said rock shaft; a pair of collars carried by the rockshaft and respectively co-operafive with said pawls in selectivelycontrolling the pawling of said ratchet; an arm secured to said rockshaft; and a link connecting said arm with the mounting of the firsttractor wheel.

9.111 a device of the class described, the combination of a structuralframe; a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame; meansfor turning one of said wheels complementary direction, so to increaseor rect fy'the curvature of the path of trac tion.

. 11. In a device of the class described, the combination of astructural frame, a'pair of tractor wl'ieels'pivotally attached to saidframe, means for manually turning one of said wheels for steeringpurposes, means for irreversibly transmitting complementary movementtherefrom to the other wheel, a motor for simultaneously driving bothwheels, and means for automatically controlling thc. device.independentof the manual steering means when desired.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of astructural'frame, a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to saidframe, means for manually turningone of said wheels for steeringpurposes, means for irreversibly transmitting complementary movementtherefrom to the other Wheel, a motor for simultaneously driving bothwheels, and a guide wire with an associated cut-out respectively adaptedto control the device independent of the manual steering means whendesired and toautomatically stop the motor in case of an untowardoccurrence.

13 In a device of the class described, the combination of a'structuralframe, a pair of tractor whee-ls pivotally attached to said frame, meansfor manually turning onevof said wheels for steering purposes, means forirreversibly transmitting complementary movement therefrom to the otherwheel, a motor for simultaneously driving both wheels, an ignitioncircuit for said motor, a spring influenced cut-out switch in saidcircuit, and a guide wire adapted to steer the device independent of themanual steering mechanism when desired and to release the cut-out switchwhen the guide wire fractures.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of a structuralframe, a pair of tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame, meansfor manually turning one of V combination of a structural frame, a pairof tractor wheels pivotally attached to said frame, means for manuallyturning one of said wheels for steering purposes, means for irreversiblytransmitting complementary movement therefrom to the other wheel, amotor for simultaneously driving both 'wheels, an ignition circuit forthe motor, a

cut-out switch interposed in said circuit including a fixed contact, aspring influenced movable switch member cooperative with the saidcontact, and a laterally disposed guide wire connected to said switchmember for steering the device independently of the manual steeringmeans, said guide wire exerting a steering pull through the contactbetween the make-and-break parts of the switch so as to maintain theswitch closed only while itself intact.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe; tractor wheels pivotally attached to the said frame; means forshifting one of said wheels to follow a curved path of traction; andmeans for irreversibly transmitting the movement of said wheel in acomplementary direction to the other of' said wheels in correspondenceto the curvature of tractionpermitting a limited independent movement ofthe first of said wheels.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supportingframe; a pair of tractor wheels with mountings pivotally attached to thesaid frame; manually operable means for irreversibly transmittingsteering movement to said wheels; a motor for driving the said device; awire for automatically guiding and steering the said device attacheddirectly to the mounting of one of said wheels independently of that ofthe other; and means for frictionallyresisting shifting ofthe 'wheel towhich said guide wire is attached, so as to protect the guide wireagainst shocks due to unevenness ofthe ground and constantlymaintain aneven tension upon saidguide wire.

18. In a device-of the class described,- the combination-of a supportingframe; tractor wheels with mountings pivotally attached to said frame;manually operablemeans. for irreversibly transmitting steering movementto said wheels; a wire for automatically steering and controllingthedevice attached directly to one of said wheel mountings,independently of the other, to guide the corresponding wheel; and meansfor maintaining a constant and even tension upon said guide wireincluding a friction shoe fixed upon said frame work, a co-operativefriction shoe pivotally attached to the mounting of said wheel, andadjustable means for maintaining the engagement between the said shoes.r

19. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a structural frame work;

tractor wheels pivoted to said frame work by pivots whose axial linespass through the HERBERT I. WASHBURN,

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON.

